Silverx69x

Hey guys I just picked up a black 2005 E55 and looking to buy an extra grille and paint it black. Want to keep the original one in just in case. I've been searching the forums and looking on Ebay and other sites.

What's the difference between the Avantgarde grille and standard aftermarket grille sold on Ebay? Do they look different?

Here's some links:

http://www.cscarparts.com/shop/produ...irectoryId=792

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Should I paint the grille black or matte finish? Suggestions?

Thanks

Viet_Amg408

I "regret" painting mine black, now i can't go back...

if you paint it; go with matte black...beware, its going to chip like crazy..

snail45

Looks the same to me but I couldn't tell you for sure. Matte black is what I prefer but gloss looks good as well. If you peel the chrome off of the grille before you paint, it won't chip as easily.

GT-ER

If you do it properly, it won't chip. You must sand it with 400-600 grit sand paper to the point where it's 100% dull ( absolutely no chrome parts ) and then use adhesive promotion and then paint it black with many coats ( 3-4 ). I've done this on many cars and have yet to see one chip.

Hellzno

E55 oem grille has 5 ribs. the ones you posted have 4. I like the black look. I did some research and it seems if you get a auto paint shop to paint it then the result are better against rock chips. I think the auto paint shop will bake the paint on.

emoving

Cant bake paint on plastic.

Silverx69x

Thanks for the responses guys. It looks like I'm going to order the one from Ebay and have it painted at a shop. Still trying to decide between flat black and colour matching it to the car.

FASN8N

I am in the minority and like gloss black better

AKnight55

God I love white.. Especially a wagon

motorkas

I prefer the 4 ribs to the 5 (for some odd reason I think that one extra rib makes the front look "busy").

OP - here's a shot of my color matched 4 ribbed grill if you need something to reference against the matte...

Hellzno

those black grille's look nice!! I think it looks more aggressive. matte or gloss that is the question.

mikey33

I love the gloss black over matte anyway of the week. The matte has become played out IMHO.

E55Dimon

I had mine in matte and redid it to gloss and liked it much more - especially if you have pano to match. My E63 grille is being painted gloss black also.

taurran

I agree. I'd like to see pics of the Avantgarde one on a car.

nanayaw6

is beauty!!!

FASN8N

Thank you

Weird, I never noticed there was a 4 rib and 5 rib version? I like the 4 rib better too. What cars/years received the 4 rib vs. the 5 rib?

--I don't know that the matte is played out, it just looks odd when you see a matte grille surrounded by gloss paint. IMO the gloss grille flows with the rest of the gloss paint giving a more OEM look.

Thank you

motorkas

I got mine by accident on ebay from someone who was selling a grill from his 320. I believe all AMG's come with a 5 rib (my original unpainted grill is 5 ribs) and non AMGs came with 4. Once I received mine and noticed it was 4 v. 5 I ended up liking it better and had it painted (still have the stock 5 rib in my garage).

Beautiful Estate by the way!!!!!

guysandiego

i scratched my OEM -- I think i will need to paint it glossy black now -- thanks to this thread --- my white pano will look even nicer

tbal

I had mine gloss black as well

tbal

Ooh we won't be twins after all haha. I left mine chrome

E55Dimon

Lol, I plan to be the first white E63 front with the grille done right in black.
My 55 black grille is already sold to member nanayaw6 and I'm dreading Monday because I have to put my chrome one back on until the 63 front goes on in a couple weeks.

Silverx69x

I orderred the 5 rib one and planning on painting it glossy black. Thanks for the pics guys. Do we have any more?

Silverx69x

Thanks Motorkas! Car looks nice and sharp.

grantwoodtx

Just checked the wifes E500 and it has a 5 rib grill. I don't see any 4 rib grills except the Avantgarde grill from the Netherlands. I did find the AMG emblem like FASN8N has on his wagon ...http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT

Maybe the Avantgarde grill and the AMG would look hot!

FASN8N

That is the emblem I purchased. It is not a perfect fit out of the box (on my 5 rib grille at least) I had to do some dremeling to get it to fit perfect.